Kindergarten
Exploring My Place in the World
With robust scaffolding and extensive literacy support for inquiry-based learning, Exploring My Place in the World introduces young learners to explorations of the world of social studies. An introduction to geography, history, economics, and civics is supported by extensive teacher-led engaging opportunities for exploration.
1st Grade
Exploring My Communities
Through the lens of language acquisition support and literacy scaffolding, young learners continue their exploration of social studies topics in Exploring My Communities. Continued literacy scaffolding and social studies foundation development, driven by inquiry-based learning, encourage curious engagement with community and place.
2nd Grade
Iowa, Our Home
Multimodal student-first strategies and an emphasis on language practice and reading skill development expand student experiences with social studies in Iowa, Our Home. Geography, history, economics, and civics, grounded in explorations of Iowa facts and information, guide learners through extended skill development and learning strategies, spiraled for access by all learners.
3rd Grade
An American Adventure
An American Adventure is the first in a three-part US history series that supports Iowa state social studies standards for third grade, including discussions of Native Americans and European exploration, early colonial America, the French and Indian War, and early state geography and economics. Complete standards coverage of financial literacy is also included. This comprehensive resource is filled with thought-provoking images, timelines, maps, graphs, and charts. Scaffolding and literacy support assist teachers and students alike as they learn about an important time in our nation's history.
4th Grade
Founding a Nation: Themes in US History
The second in a three-part series, Founding a Nation: Themes in US History provides full support for Iowa fourth-grade social studies standards. It covers themes in early US history, including the American Revolution, westward expansion, migration and immigration, Iowa statehood, and financial literacy. Units begin with clear learning goals that help teachers and students engage with primary source analysis and develop social studies skills and critical thinking that can be used in the classroom and beyond.
5th Grade
Building a Dream: Themes in US History
Completing our three-part Iowa-specific series is Building a Dream: Themes in US History. Written for complete coverage of Iowa social studies standards, this resource creates a thematic journey of civil rights and social change in US history, including the founding of the nation, the Civil War, industrialization, and the Civil Rights Movement. Bursting with vibrant color maps, charts, photos, and illustrations, and including a standards-based discussion of financial literacy, it serves as an invaluable tool for students to delve into the rich history of the United States.
6th Grade
Beyond Borders: World History to 1500 CE
Transporting readers from the beginnings of humanity and ancient civilizations all the way to the Age of Exploration, Beyond Borders offers readers a thoughtful and scaffolded journey around the world. Filled with vibrant maps, informative charts, captivating photos, and stunning illustrations, this world history resource allows students to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of world history from a multitude of perspectives.
8th Grade
An American Odyssey
Explore the history of the United States from the convergence of Indigenous people, Europeans, and Africans in North America in An American Odyssey. Travel through the tumultuous Civil War, Reconstruction, and Gilded Age. The text includes a wealth of maps, charts, photos, and illustrations, and our curriculum spirals social studies skills and scaffolds literacy development. Students will engage with the rich history of the United States through the use of interdisciplinary materials to increase literacy and understanding.
Diversity Studies
Voices: An Ethnic Studies Survey
An ethnic studies resource that examines the experiences and contributions of Indigenous, Black, Latino, Pacific Islander, and Asian Americans, Voices supports student exploration and analysis of the impacts of culture, race, and ethnicity that have shaped our collective history.
Diversity Studies
Movement: Black and African American Studies
Using the lenses of migration, economics, inequality, leadership, and culture, Movement delves into Black American history. Better aligned to the AP African American Studies standards, this second edition is designed with scaffolded support for students to learn the terms and tools them need to analyze the contributions of Black and African American communities in the United States. This resource features contributions and research from renowned Black scholars.
